Digital TV Killed the Analog Star
Not many people know this—and many who have heard may not fully understand what it means—but on February 18th, 2009 all US TV stations will cease analog broadcasts. Old rabbit ears will finally retire.
Basically, this means everyone watching TV with an antenna (not satellite or cable) on an older analog TV will not be able to see anything after that date.
This shouldn’t affect many people since most people get their TV via cable or satellite, but for those relying on over the air broadcasts, a digital converter box will need to be purchased. Because the government is requiring this change, it (really you, the taxpayer) is offering a coupon toward the purchase of a converter box.
You may ask why did Congress mandate a switch to digital? While it should be good for the consumer in the long run (quality wise), but the greatest gain will be all the frequencies it frees up. This will enable wireless phone companies to expand with other new technologies.
To learn more about this see the FCC’s website on the all digital shift.
